Note: My ADC notes left out one element in between rehearsals and recovery so until i find out the missing point I'll fill it with execution instead.
Here are the seven elements in carrying out a parade:
1) Design
2) Venue
3) Participants
4) Logistics Support
5) Rehearsals
6) Execution
7) Recovery
Design
Design is sort of the main theme of a parade in which every other category falls place into it, but for the sake of categorization, I will classify it under its own sub-topic. Design in this instance, is basically when the parade should be planned and who should be the one(s) planning for it.
Does a planning committee need to be set up for varying opinions? Can the USM/ASM hand the management on his own and only later on in planning delegate the tasks to under members? How far before the parade date should the planning start and are there any external hierarchy considerations?
These are the questions the parade planner has to consider before commencing the actual parade planning because without these details, the parade would not have its foundations laid out and falls risk to collapsing at any point in time due to external factors that have not been taken into consideration by the planner, thus causing more headaches and potentially wasting all the effort and time already poured into the parade.
After the initial phase is done, we can now proceed to the next section of parade planning, which is the Venue.
Venue
We now come to the venue, have you confirmed the booking of the venue for the parade? Are there any costs involved and if yes how will it be charged and are there any outlets that you can look to for covering these costs? How accessible and how big is the venue?
Take note of who should be contacted when you wish to book the area for the parade and that you are fully accountable for the parade to be carried out successfully upon confirmed booking of the particular venue. Once these factors are taken into account the venue should not be something that you need to worry about for whatever reasons as you would have taken care of it well into account. Let's go to the Participants.
Participants
Now, you decide who is to be called up to be the parade participants. This means the make-up of the respective contingents, the respective parade appointment holders, the guest of honour (If Any) as well as the audience for the particular parade.
This is when the first delegation of duty begins. After choosing the respective contingent commanders, parade second-in-charge and regimental sergeant major, you may choose to authorise them to choose the make-up of their own contingents by a specified time frame. This is a double-edged sword, handing out to capable leaders means you have more time dedicated for other factors of the parade. But handing to non-capable people would mean that you are stockpiling problems for the future, something that should be avoided at all costs.
Hence, the selection of appointment holders is crucial and you might need to get the second-hand opinion of people like CLTs, Teacher Officers and such. Choosing the wrong people results in a failed parade from the start.
If you decided to choose the make-up of the contingent yourself, remember the limit size of each contingent and that there needs to be back-up people in a appropriate and corresponding ratio to the size of the contingent.
Finally, understand the maximum number of the audiences that can be invited and how early the invitation should be sent. The same would go for the Guest-Of-Honour though the invitation for the GOH normally has to be placed in much much earlier for scheduling reasons.
After all the invitations are sent you have reached the line of no return, people are expecting a parade to be conducted and you have to live up to the expectation and see that that parade is carried out to the end be it successfully or not. Your stress level corresponds with the importance of the parade as well as the Guest Of Honour that has been invited. Let's move over to Logistics Support.
Logistics Support
You have your location, you have your people and now you need your logistics. Your logistics team (that you have already designated way over in advance) would need to lias closely with you to determine the outfit of your contingents especially if there is a guard-of-honour contingent. In that case you would need to request HQ authorisation to draw the No.1 Uniforms.
For the audience and the guest of honour, you would need chairs that can either be acquired from school or from an external vendor. Always remember the consideration of cost when handling external vendors be it for whatever purpose. You also need to consider whether the Guest Of Honour would require a podium to give a speech from. Less importantly you might want your logistics group to set up a refreshment point for your participants and a larger refreshments booth for the audience etc. parents and guest of honour. Once again, contact with teachers if your are inviting the principal or what not regarding this matter.
Also logistics would need to set up any other details like the sound system and that they are in working condition to prevent any technical mishaps from possibly occurring during the parade. During rehearsals all these points will come into play but more on that later.
Remember that your logistics team is your hands on the ground that you would need to contact at any possible point if there is a lack in equipment and such. Hence, ensure that they are always in close contact with you either via walkie-talkie or handphone and that the team is large enough such that they can be spread thin for simultaneous roles.
Finally the logistics team is also responsible for medical aid and as such try to get one of the team members to be a skilled medic or at least trained in basic first-aid such that he can be called up if there is a mishap or injury either during the parade or rehearsals. Most importantly, check with your logistics that their stockpile of each require item for the parade is sufficient and if not, for topping up to be carried out. Let's move on to rehearsals.
Rehearsals
HQ sets the standard that there should be a minimum of two rehearsals for any parade but I recommend three instead. Why?
It is just common nature that there are times when the planner has not nailed down the exact sequences of the parade and thus the first rehearsals can instead be used to fill up each and every participant regarding administrative and logistical matters. Other than that, the initial starting points and basic draft of sequence can be informed to the participants. There should only be light training at the first rehearsal so that they can get used to the regime.
The second rehearsal would be the full sequence of events without the actual length of any speeches and arrival time of GOH or such. All drill sequences should be carried out fully though so that participants have in mind what needs to be done and that they have knowledge of the full sequence of events.
The third rehearsal would be the full dress rehearsal with the actual simulated arrival time of GOH, simulated length of speech being carried out and actual simulated inspection of guard-of-honour and the Guest of Honour's departure. This is so that the participants would know how the actual parade would turn out to be like. There can be a simulated crowd and full sue of all logistical equipments. Parade Management coordinators need to be on the ground from start to finish to see through the process and unexpected emergencies like people collapsing can be carried out to test operation readiness of all teams. The execution awaits.
Execution
TBC
